The heat is on!

Jun 17, 2011 7:27:00 AM - thestate.com

High temperatures in Columbia have never been all 90s, all the time in June. At least, they never have before.

The cold front that was expected to drop afternoon highs into the upper 80s this week was warmer than expected and the 90s continued. Wednesday appeared to the best chance for a high in the 80s, but the clouds moved out in the morning and the Columbia high hit 90 around 5 p.m.

The National Weather Service forecast for the next several days calls for highs well above 90, and the long-range forecast doesnt offer much hope for a sub-90 day. Columbia could go the entire month with 90-degree highs.

Not only has that never happened, but the longest streak of consecutive 90-degree days in June in Columbia is 21 days, set in 1998, according to the Southeast Regional Climate Center.

Oddly, this June has yet to have a 100-degree day or to set a daily high temperature record.